Two years ago, Oregon assembled a deep recruiting class that infused the Ducks with the talents of six players who had hopes of playing together for four years and taking the Ducks back to the Elite Eight or better.

Since then, Oregon has lost 27 Pacific-10 Conference games and – after Josh Crittle’s decision this past weekend – three of those six players.

Crittle, who secured his release nearly a month ago but had not ruled out a return to Oregon, told new Ducks coach Dana Altman on Saturday that he will indeed transfer, to the University of Central Florida.

“It is kind of crazy,’’ Crittle said Monday of saying good-bye to his classmates and watching the breakup of the large recruiting class. “It’s going to be difficult to leave, but we’ve all got goals that we want to reach, and we have to figure out the best situation for us. For those guys who are staying, that’s the best situation for them.’’

The three who are staying are center Michael Dunigan and guards Teondre Williams and Garrett Sim. Crittle joins forward Drew Wiley (to Boise State) and swingman Matt Humphrey (destination unknown) on the road out of Eugene.

“We wish him the best,’’ Altman said. “He had expressed an interest after I was hired in possibly coming back. So we extended that offer so we would at least investigate the possibility of his coming back. But he made the decision to go ahead and transfer. We respect that decision and wish him the best.’’

As is usually the case, Crittle wasn’t happy about his role with the team. And despite encouragement from Altman, he wasn’t convinced there would be any appreciable increase in playing time.

“I wasn’t happy with the season I had … personally,’’ Crittle said. “I’ve got dreams and aspirations that I want to reach.’’

Crittle wants to reach the NBA, and to that end, the Chicagoan will move across the country to Orlando, Fla.

“The campus is very, very, very, very beautiful,’’ said Crittle, who averaged 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in Pac-10 play last season.

Crittle, at 6-8 and 250 pounds, was a bruising presence underneath, and his absence will be felt if for no other reason than to knock Dunigan around in practice a bit. The transfer also leaves Altman with just five frontcourt players: Dunigan, forwards E.J. Singler, Jeremy Jacob and Jamil Wilson, as well as junior college transfer Tyrone Nared.

The Ducks are still hopeful, though, that forward Joevan Catron will be granted a medical hardship and be allowed to return for one more season. Altman said he’s not overly concerned with the relatively thin frontcourt and that he will not add another signee before Wednesday’s final signing date for National Letters of Intent.

“Three weeks ago when I arrived, he was going to transfer anyway,’’ Altman said. “I don’t think it greatly affects us one way or the other.’’

Altman continues to participate in some offseason workouts with his new team, already stressing the need for better shooting.

“We’ve been getting a lot of shots up,’’ said Altman, who also is focusing on ballhandling and “more of an in-season type thing’’ on defense.

There still is no word on assistant coach Kenny Payne, although Altman has said he would welcome him on his new staff, or another assistant to go with Brian Fish. Altman said he still isn’t completely sure about his roster, even after the clarity of Crittle’s decision.

“We still have some hurdles to clear,’’ Altman said. “Obviously, Joevan, and we still have to see how the quarter finishes here. I don’t know what our roster will be.’’